Bio

Since 2006, Ishtar has been Pittsburgh's Vintage Bellydance Band. Ishtar is comprised of Melissa Murphey on clarinet and Jeff Chmielarski on electric bass, and Bryan Bowman on darbuka.. Guest percussion: Julian Broughton on darbuka and Ayleeza Quatrocchi on riq.

Playing their own unique interpretation of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean folk melodies, Ishtar performs songs that were popular in the bellydancing nightclub scene during the mid-20th century. This exceptional fusion of traditional songs with dynamic elements has become: BellyRock. In 2008, Ishtar was voted as Pittsburgh's Best Underground Band by the readers of the City Paper!

Every year since 2007, Ishtar has performed to record breaking crowds at the Washington DC Turkish Festival. Ishtar was the featured performing group at the Pittsburgh Turkish American Student Association dinner for Turkish Republic Day. In 2013, Ishtar was the most liked band at the Turkish Cultural Day festival held at Grand Central Station in New York City.

Ishtar has had the honor of playing for the world renowned dancers: Artemis Mourat, Ashara, Tamalyn Dallal, Sherena, and Jill Parker. From 2011 - 2015, Ishtar was the house band for the bellydance event Art of the Belly held every March in Ocean City MD.

Members of Ishtar teach workshops and play music around the United States. Ishtar is available to play for any event as well as specific dancer performances. For more information or to book Ishtar, please email melissa.murphey91@gmail.com